Marriage vs. Civil Unions in the State of Illinois

It’s important we distinguish between the civil unions and marriage. Though many religious institutions in the area provide same-sex couples with recognition before God and their friends and neighbors, a civil union is anything but marriage. Despite what anti-gay activists want to try to convince people, civil unions do not infringe on any religious institutions.
They will not/cannot be forced to recognize any same-sex relationship. They cannot be forced to hire Illinoisans in such relationships, nor can theybe forced to offer insurance benefits to the spouses of their workers in relationships they don’t approve of. This law is very explicit in its language demanding “hands off” religious institutions.
Regardless of one’s feelings about the moral and religious issues that swirl about these unique families, they do face significant and unnecessary challenges under the law that this bill will help remedy. Many same-sex couples around the nation experience discrimination at the times that are the most difficult—when a loved one is sick in the hospital, or—sadly—when a spouse has passed. Despite decades of building love, a life, a home and a family together, the law has considered these two people strangers.
The civil unions bill will help provide same sex couples with only a handful of the more than 1049 benefits given to married couples, but some of the most crucial. Spouses united in a civil union will be granted next-of-kin status in case of medical emergencies and death. The Family and Medical Leave Act will now protect these families that were previously left in the cold. Non-religious workplaces will be encouraged to provide fairer benefits to their workers. In-short, this law will help to protect the children and families of same-sex couples from unfair hardship promoted by current law.